Package



w. D. MCMAHAN 2,478,412

' PACKAGE Filed Aug. 24, 1946 lNl/ENTOE Patented Aug. 9, 1949 NITED STATES OFFICE 6 Claims.

This invention has to do with a package and it is a general object of the present invention to provide a neat, compact, practical and inexpensive package of sanitary napkins and cells in which the napkins can be deposited for disposal.

Sanitary napkins are commonly dispensed or packaged in paper cartons and they are withdrawn from the cartons one at a time for use and when used they present a difficult disposal problem.

It is a general object of the present invention to provide a package incorporating or including in a compact, practical, readily usable form, a plurality of napkins and cells in which used napkins can be deposited for disposal. In accordance with the present invention I provide a package of substantially the same size and shape as the package commonly employed to carry a plurality of napkins, except that I incorporate in the package a group of cells so that they are readily accessible to be withdrawn one at a time when desired for use, and so that they do not in any way interfere with the handling of the napkins as they are desired for use.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a package of the general character referred to wherein a pile of sanitary napkins is carried in a box-like body so that they exert a pressure upon a pile of cells which are in the form of envelopes also arranged in the body so that the napkins and envelopes are maintained firmly in the desired position in the body, so that they are conveniently accessible and ready for quick, convenient, removal when desired for use.

The various objects and features of my invention will be fully understood from the following description of a typical preferred form and application of the invention, throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a package embodyin the present invention showing it open, making the napkins and cells accessible for withdrawal. Fig. 2 is a face or plan View of one of the disposal cells, showing the flap opened out, in which position it is disposed when the cell is made ready to receive a napkin. Fig. 3 is a view of a cell after a napkin has been deposited therein and showing one manner in which it can be closed or sealed. Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing another manner in which the cell can be sealed or closed. Fig. 5 is a detailed sectional view of the package showing the general relationship of the napkins and cells therein, and Fig. 6

is a sectional view taken as indicated by line 6-6 on Fig 5.

The structure that I provide involves, generally, a body or box A, a plurality of units B in the box which units are preferably sanitary napkins, or the like, and a plurality of cells C also in the box and related to the napkins so that they are compactly held in the box with the napkins and are accessible for removal from the box when the box is open. The invention may further include a follower D carried in the box separating the napkins and cells and preferably serving to communicate pressure exerted by the napkins to the cells so that the cells are held firmly and against displacement.

The box or body A is preferably a simple, inexpensive carboard carton proportioned and shaped to serve as hereinafter described and preferably formed of a material that is cheap and yet substantial enough to maintain its form and serve as an effective carrier for the napkins and cells until such time as they have been used up. The box may vary in shape and proportioning, depending upon the number, shape and size of the napkins and cells. However, it is preferred that the box be an ordinary rectangular structure substantially as shown throughout the drawings, in which case it involves a plurality of walls. The several walls of the box may be joined or folded together from a single flat blank 'of material in the manner common to ordinary paper cartons, and since the box can be disposed in various positions it has no parts or sides that can be specifically designated the top, bottom, sides, or other like parts. For purpose of facilitating a description of the box I will arbitrarily designate certain parts as top, bottom, sides, etc., it being understood that by such description I do not mean to limit the structure to being arranged in any particular manner.

The box in its simple form involves six walls, two sides Ill, a top ll, bottom I2, a front wall l3 and a rear wall [4. The several walls of the box are fixed or permanently joined together to form a box-like structure with the exception of one wall which is hinged so that it can be swung open to provide access to the interior of the box. In the case illustrated the front wall I3 is hinged to one of the side walls In at l5 so that it fonns what may be termed a cover or closure.

It is desirable that the hinged wall should have one or more flaps or flanges to nest into the box when it is closed and in the case illustrated I have shown a flange 16 on the longitudinal free edge of the front wall l3 and flanges I! on the top 3 and bottom free edges of the wall l3. It is to be understood that the flanges I! may or may not be employed, as circumstances require.

Further it is to be understood that in accordance with the broader principles of the invention it is contemplated that the box when filled, ready for merchandising, may be completely sealed and that the hinged wall which forms the cover and provides for access to the box may be established by the user by breaking or tearing .the material of the box along lines which are such as to leave the wall free to be opened or manipulated so that the interior of the box is accessible. In such case, of course, the hinged or closure wall would be without flanges, either the flange 16 or the flanges ll.

The units B are packaged in .theboxAsothat they are in a pile in the box and I contemplate that each unit should be an individual or separate sanitary napkin. In the drawings I have shown the units B in a general way :merely :to indicate the general size, shape and proportioning :of each unit B, .it being understood that in practice .each unit being a sanitary napkin may be :of "any 'form and construction as maybe desired. The particular units Bare made of such width-astosnuglyfit between the sides [not the boxand the pile of napkins as initially establishedis of such-extent as to extend from the rear wall EM .tothe frontwall -13. Inaccordance with thepresent invention the height or extent of the pile .ofzunits B is :madesuch as to substantially correspond with'the length desiredin the cells C in that the cells, :as hereinafter described, are arranged in the box A not parallel with the napkins .B :but rather transversely thereof, so that thetcells extend lengthwise'in the direction "of the heightofthe pileof napkins in'the box.

The units or napkins B do not extend from the .top to the bottom of the box but rather are proportioned to extend from oneof these walls in .the direction of-the other but terminate short thereof. In the case illustrated the napkins are shown arranged and proportioned to extend from thewall l2 which .I have termed the bottom wall toa point spaced somewhat from or'beneath the top wall 11'. The space'thus left between the pile of napkins B and the wall His a deep, narrow space which extends the full width of thebox, that is, from side to side thereof, as "shown in Fig.6,

The cells -.C may, in practice, "vary widely in form and construction. However, I prefer that they be simple envelopes in which case 'each cell may be'readily and inexpensively formed of a single sheetofmaterial and the'body 20 ofeach cellzismade to correspond in 'width'to the box A, that is, so-thatiit will extend-from :onesi'de tfl' to the other side I-(l in the .b'ox,.,an-dit iszm'ade of such length as to extend substantially from the rear wall 14 toth-e front wall I13 of ithebox. I proportion the spaoeleft betweenrthe pile of napkins B and the top wal'l l d of the box so that a group. or pack of cells C corresponding in" berzto thenapkirrs' B in the'pile' ofnapki'ns in-the box fits snugly between the napkins and-the top wall I l-of the box; It. isto be understood that since-the ceIlsuC are in the nature of envelopes they lfe flat together in a group or pack and asubstantial' number of such cells occupy very little :space in the box with themesult'that the box A need, in practice, be but "very littlela'rger thaniwould ordinarily be required to-acpommodate merely the pile 'of napkins.

am accordance with my -ir-wenticnr 'I' "provide 4 each cell with a tab 2! which extends from one end of the body, that is from the end of the body Where the cell is open, as shown in Fig. 2, and I arrange the cells in the body with the tabs 2! overlying each other and overlying the end portion of the pile of napkins, as clearly shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings. The fact that the tabs overlie each other and also overlie the pile of napkins is an important structural feature since the tabs thus serve to hold each other against shifting lengthwise and make the topmost tab or the tab on the cell immediately adjacent the wall 'l'l conveniently accessible so that it is simple and most convenient to withdraw the cells one at a time. Furthermore, the group of tabs overlying each other bear on the end portion of the ,pile of napkins and serve as a retaining or restraining means for the napkins, preventing their accidental displacement from the body should the body be opened with the wall I3 downward or shouldit be turned to that position while open.

In accordance with my invention I form the cells C of a material that is preferably moisture proof and the cells are such that they can be closed or sealed so that they are practically tight. In practice the cells may be formed of waxed paper, or the like, and each cell may be slightly longer than is actually necessary to barely accommodate a used napkin, with the result that the flap end of the cell can be rolled up by rolling the flap and the flap end portion of the cell into a position such as is shown in Fig. 3 with consequent sealing of the cell. Another means of sealing the cell involves merely twisting or wrapping the flap end portion of the cell in a manner such as is indicated in Fig. 4 of the drawings. In Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawings a used napkin is indicated at X within the cell.

The follower D is preferably a simple sheet or card of material such as a sheet of cardboard, or the like, which serves as a partition, divider or separator between the end of the pile of napkins B facing the wall II and the pack of cells C betweenthe pile of napkins and the wall H. The follower may be merely a loose sheet that serves as a freely movable divider between the pile of napkins and the pack of cells. If the follower is merely a loose sheet it is desirable that it be provided with edge flanges 3B which extend at right angles and slide or bear on the inner surfaces of the side walls It). In the case illustrated the flanges 3B are shown turned toward the wall ll andare proportioned to extend substantially to the wall H, in which case they will limit the extent that the follower can be moved toward the wall H. The flangesfill bear outwardly against the side walls IE! creating friction so that the follower ..remains in position unless deliberately moved.

If the .flanges 30 are employed as above described the parts may be proportioned so that the follower is a divider between the pile of napkins and the pack of cells whenthe package is initially established and while it is practically full. but as the napkins and cells are used the follower may shift somewhat one way or the other but always remains in position to form a wall preventing end-wise. shifting of the napkins toward the wall H and defines the compartment in the. box in which the cells are held. The follower prevents displacement or misarrangement of the cells and napkins which might result in an inconvenient or untidy assembly.

75 I may, in carrying out my invention, anchor the follower D so that it acts substantially as above described and yet is tied into the box so that it will not and cannot become displaced therefrom. For instance I may provide a tab 3| on the end of th follower where the follower adjoins the wall [4 and the tab 3| may be fixed to the wall [4 as by a suitable adhesive. The tab thus forms a hinge connection so that the end portion of the follower toward the front wall i3 is free to move toward and away from wall ll, whereas th end portion adjacent the wall 14 is maintained at th point where the tab is secured to the wall I4.

With the construction that I have provided the parts are proportioned so that the desired number of napkins B is packed or established in a pile in the body A and the group or pack of cells C is arranged transversely in the body, that is, so that the cells extend in a direction transverse of the napkins and between the end of the pile of napkins and the wall II. The flaps or tabs 2| of the cells overlie each other so that there is an uppermost or outermost tab always readily available to be grasped so that it is convenient to withdraw one cell at a time, and the group of tabs overlies one end portion of the pile of napkins maintaining the napkins piled or asembled in the body.

In using'the package the user opens the hinged wall or front wall I3, which operation renders the topmost napkin of the pile readily accessible for removal and the removal of such napkin does 'not materially interfere with or affect the balance of the package. When it is desired to dispose of the napkin thus removed a cell, preferably the cell immediately adjacent the wall II, is withdrawn and the used napkin deposited therein, and the cell sealed as hereinabove described. As the napkins are used one by one and the cells are correspondingly removed from time to time, the package empties, but by reason of the construction that I have described the remainder of the pile of napkins will stay neatly assembled in the body and the cells are maintained in a neat, readily accessible group so that they can be removed one at a time when desired.

Having described only a typical preferred form and application of my invention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specific details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any variations or modifications that may appear to those skilled in the art and fall within the scope of the following claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A package of the character described including a box havin a body with one wall hinged to open, a plurality of sanitary napkins arranged in a pile in the box with only the uppermost one accessible for removal when the hinged wall is open, a plurality of envelopes in a group between one end of the pile and one wall of the box and having flaps, the flaps of the several envelopes overlying each other and forming a group of flaps overlyin one end of the pile of napkins, and a follower between one end of the pile of napkins and one side of the group of envelopes.

2. A package of the character described including a box having a body with one wall hinged to open, a plurality of sanitary napkins arranged in a pile in the box with only the uppermost one accessible for removal when the hinged wall is open, a plurality of envelopes piled in a group between one end of the pile of napkins and one wall of the box and having flaps, the flaps of 0 Numb er the several envelopes overlying each other and forming a group of flaps overlying one end of the pile of napkins, and a follower hinged in the box between one end of the pile of napkins and one side of the group of envelopes.

3. A package of the character described including a box having a body with one wall hinged to open, a plurality of sanitary napkins arranged in a pile in the box with only the uppermost one accessible for removal when the hinged wall is open, a plurality of like fiat envelopes in a group between one end of the pile and one wall of the box and having flaps, the flaps of the several envelopes overlying each other and forming a group of flaps overlying one end of the pile of napkins, and a follower with edge flanges and hinged in the box between one end of the pile of napkins and one side of the group of envelopes.

4. A package of the character described including a box having a body with one wall hinged to open, a plurality of sanitary napkins arranged in a pile in the box with the uppermost one accessible for removal when the hinged wall is open, a plurality of envelopes in a group between one end of the pile and one wall of the :box and having flaps, the flaps of the several envelopes overlying each other and forming a group of flaps overlying one end of the pile of napkins, and a follower between one end of the pile of napkins and one side of the group of envelopes and having frictional engagement with a wall of the body.

5. A package of the character described including a box having a body with one wall hinged to open, a plurality of sanitary napkins arranged in a pile in the box with the uppermost one accessible for removal when the hinged wall is open, a plurality of envelopes in a group between one end of the pile and one wall of the box and having flaps, the flaps of the several envelopes overlying each other and forming a group of flaps overlying one end of the pile of napkins, and a follower between one end of the pile of napkins and one side of the group of envelopes, and having side flanges having frictional engagement with opposite walls of the body.

6. A package of the character described including a box having a body with one wall hinged to open, a plurality of sanitary napkins arranged in a pile in the box with the uppermost one accessible for removal when the hinged Wall is open, a plurality of envelopes in a group between one end of the pile and one wall of the box and having flaps, the flaps of the several envelopes overlying each other and forming a group of flaps overlying one end of the pile of napkins, and a follower with edge flanges bearing outwardly in opposite directions on opposite walls of the body and hinged in the box between one end of the pile of napkins and one side of the group of envelopes.

WALKER D. McMAHAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Hayden Nov. 20, 1928 Swim June 18, 1929 Collingbourne Apr. 10, 1934. 

